Swimming wings convertible to a beach ball



Sept. 21, 1954 F. T. HORNBACK 2,689,357

SWIMMING wmcs CONVERTIBLE TO A BEACH BALL 7 A p A 4 HA-.4 l8

F rederic/r 7. Hornbaclr INVENTOR.

Fig. 3 4

Patented Sept. 21, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWIMMING WINGSCONVERTIBLE TO A BEACH BALL Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structuralrefinements in beach equipment, and the principal object of theinvention is to provide a device of the character herein describedwhich, in one form, may conveniently function as swimming wings, whilein another form it may be readily used as a ball.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity ofconstruction, in its eflicient and entertaining operation, and in itsadaptability to economical manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages Which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the invention in readiness for use asa beach ball;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the invention in readiness for use asswimming wings; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyin the plane of the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention isdesignated generally by the reference character I0 and embodies in itsconstruction a pair of buoyant, semi-spherical members l2 which arepreferably hollow and are adapted to be inflated through the medium ofsuitable valves [4, so that they possess buoyant characteristics.

The members l2 have fiat opposing faces 16 which are provided withre-entrant complemental pockets or recesses 18, and a flexibleconnecting member 20 extends between the members [2, as will bepresently explained.

The member 20 is preferably in the form of two strap sections 20a whichare adjustably connected together by conventional buckle means 22 andare provided at the ends thereof with forked or bifurcated portions 24,rigidly secured in the recesses I8 of the respective members I2.

It will be observed that the flat opposing faces l6 of the members 12are equipped with coacting snap fastener elements 26. Also, flexibletapes 28 of non-elastic material may be provided in the respectivemembers 12, the inner ends 30 of the tapes being secured to the socketsl8 while the outer ends 32 are secured to the members 12 adjacent thevalves 14. The purpose of the tapes 28 is to assist the members I! inmaintaining their correct, semi-spherical shape when infiated.

When the invention is to be used in the nature of swimming wings, themembers [2 are sepa- 2 rated as shown in Figure 2 while the flexibleconnection element 20 extends therebetween.

However, when the invention is to be used as a beach ball, the flexibleconnecting element 20 is simply stored in the recesses or pockets l8while the members l2 are brought together into abutting relation and thesnap fastener elements 26 of the two members are engaged so as tosustain the members together, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

If so desired, the connecting element 20 may be disconnected at thebuckle means 22 thereof and each portion 201; of the connecting elementmay be stored in the recess or pocket 18 of the associated member I2.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction shown and described, andaccordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restoredto, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. Swimming wings convertible to a beach ball, comprising a pair ofbuoyant semi-spherical members having flat opposing faces provided withcomplemental recesses, a flexible connecting element having oppositeends thereof secured in the recesses of the respective members, saidelement being receivable in said recesses when said members are inabutment to form a ball, and means separably sustaining said members inabutting relation.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, together with means for adjustingthe length of said connecting element.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means comprise coactingsnap fasteners provided on the fiat opposing faces of said members.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 together with means for inflating,said members.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 together with transversely extendingreinforcing tapes provided in the respective members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,026,519 Knoph May 14, 1912 1,043,367 Smack Nov. 5, 19121,116,393 Despot Nov. 10, 1914 1,234,826 Tortomasi July 31, 19171,677,083 Heminger July 10, 1928 1,955,053 Carbeck Apr. 17, 1934

